A New York mother is taking Disney to court after an alleged injury at one of Walt Disney World’s most popular water parks. Kimberly Panetta, a mom of two from Long Island, has filed a lawsuit against Disney seeking $2 million in damages, claiming she was “violently struck” by a “mammoth” wave in the Surf Pool at Typhoon Lagoon during an April 2022 visit.
According to the New York Post, Panetta had been visiting Typhoon Lagoon with her young children when a wave in the Surf Pool — more commonly referred to by guests as the “wave pool” — caught her off guard.
Typhoon Lagoon via Theme Park 101 YouTube
The Surf Pool is one of Typhoon Lagoon’s signature attractions, described on Disney’s official website as:
“Wade into the warm water where gentle waves lap the white sandy beach. Swim out and listen for the thunderous ‘sonic boom’ and the squeals of delighted swimmers as little ripples become big kahunas. Keep watch and feel the excitement build as a cresting wave heads your way—and get ready to paddle Enjoy an epic body surf ride as you’re propelled to shore. With a continuous set of swells, you’re sure to catch a gnarly wave!”
Disney also advises guests to “keep a watchful eye on children and those who are not strong swimmers.”
In her lawsuit, Panetta claims that the “mammoth” wave dragged both her and her 3-year-old daughter underwater for several feet. Court documents state that “the wave hit her from the side with such force, it pummeled her and her body skidded across the cement or gunite, causing serious ‘road rash’ or scrapes that were severe and deep.”
A series of photos showing Kimberly Panetta. including her at Walt Disney World with her children and the wounds received on her feet and legs in the Typhoon Lagoon wave pool – New York Post via X
Photos shared alongside the filing show Panetta smiling at the parks with her children before the incident, as well as images of her injuries afterward. The faces of her children have been blurred in publicly released images to protect their identities.
Panetta says the experience left her limping, forced to apply bandages and creams, and unable to swim or enjoy the rest of the family’s long-anticipated Disney vacation. In the legal filing, she states the trip “was ruined” by her injuries and recovery.
Her husband, Frank Panetta — who is also an attorney — emphasized that their daughter could have been in serious danger had his wife not pushed her above the surface during the wave impact. He also claims Disney’s response to the ordeal was a mere $250 credit, which the family felt was grossly inadequate considering the circumstances.
The Disney Typhoon Lagoon lawsuit joins a growing list of injury-related complaints linked to the popular water park.
In May 2024, Laura Reyes-Merino filed a separate lawsuit after allegedly losing consciousness while riding Humunga Kowabunga, Typhoon Lagoon’s steep 214-foot body slide. Although the ride does not use tubes, Reyes-Merino claimed she was thrown around inside the slide, leading to significant injury. Her lawsuit contended that Walt Disney World failed “to warn of any dangerous conditions about which it knew or should have known.”
That filing came just a few years after another case involving Emma and Edward McGuinness, who sued Disney over a 2019 incident at Humunga Kowabunga in which Emma McGuinness reportedly suffered a painful wedgie while using the slide. Their lawsuit similarly cited concerns about the park’s safety warnings and ride design.
Crush’n Gusher at Typhoon Lagoon Water Park in Walt Disney World – Photo Credit: M. Montanaro
With multiple lawsuits now tied to Typhoon Lagoon, questions are being raised about whether Disney will reassess some of its water park attractions and guest safety communications.
As for Kimberly Panetta, her Disney Typhoon Lagoon lawsuit is seeking compensation for medical costs, emotional distress, and the vacation she says was destroyed by the unexpected and traumatic wave incident. Disney has not yet publicly commented on the case.
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